Ack's insights

Brady Ackerman

10/21/2002

This week's edition includes the position grades, some big game stats, and some talk about their next opponent - Georgia.

Running off at the
keypad...

Victory...Triumphant... Successful... These are the synonyms that symbolize what
the Florida Gators and Ron Zook were searching for the last several weeks.. Over
the last 12 years these words became common vocabulary among Gator fans.
Saturday night featured an improbable ending with the unlikeliest of heroes.
Bobby McCray was not on double secret probation when he blocked the kick of
Damon Duval. By doing so it delivered joy to Gators everywhere and now UF
can move forward on the heels of a 30-23 overtime win against Auburn.
It was not the smoothest nor was it easy, but the bottom line is, it was a
win. At 5-3 the Gators are still in a position to go to a New Year's Day
Bowl but right now the only thing these Zookers are thinking about is victory.

Quarterback: B+ Big time throw for the
game winner in overtime coupled with very few mistakes and Rex Grossman did the
job he was asked to do. Ingle Martin proved he is a "gamer" and
that no matter what he looks like in practice his wrinkle to the offense may
become a regular occurrence.(those who read the scouting report knew this was
coming).

Running Back: B A workmanlike effort
in which Ran Carthon earned the opportunity to get the ball on 4th and 1.
I would have used Earnest Graham who is a better "low" runner. Nonetheless,
they combined for almost 150 yards.(remember the scouting report). Florida
got it's first rushing touchdown in three games. They need more redzone
production.

Wide Receivers and Tight End: B+ Aaron
Walker and Ben Troupe combined for 4 catches while Kelvin Kight chipped in with
4 as well. Taylor Jacobs came back to life with the sensational catch in
overtime. This unit can play better but did a nice job when the chips were down.

Offensive Line: B The unit did a solid
job with 100+ rushing yards and 200+ passing yards. The improvement in short
yardage situations and the redzone area will need to happen against Georgia. But
with a quarterback who had a bad knee and a team that knew you were going to run
they responded.

Defensive Line: B- For nearly three
quarters this was a B+. But Ian Scott's mates wore down and got beat in
the fourth quarter. Scott and Clint Mitchell are the leaders of this group, but
maybe Bobby McCray's block of the field goal attempt by Damon Duval will help
raise his level of play. Auburn had only 213 yards in the first 3 quarters.

Linebackers: C Again see the notes on
the defensive line. This is a unit that has developed some depth over the last
few games with the play of Dwright Jackson, Travis Harris and Todd McCollough
getting healthy. There were too many missed tackles but a solid first
three quarters. The Tigers had just 6 first downs going into the final stanza.

Special Teams:A How can you
not give them an A? Talcott with the extra points and Leach hitting a huge
48 yard field goal that is at least a step in the right direction. Leach
connected on field goals from 48,38 and 20. Also a punt downed at the one
yard line was big.

Snippets and Tidbits...Auburn's streak of 23 wins in a row under Tommy Tuberville when scoring 21+
points is over. Florida is now 1-2 and Ron Zook is 1-0 in overtime games.
Florida has now blocked two field goals this season as well as one punt. The
first touchdown was the longest drive of the season on the clock. The Gators
used 7:16 and 13 plays. Grossman hit five different receivers on the
series. Florida's defense held Auburn to 91 yards in the first half which was
their lowest output of the season. Rex Grossman's two touchdown passes equaled
the entire total given up this season by the Auburn secondary. Florida played
seven offensive lineman consistently in the game. Florida has now scored 105 of
it's 223 points in the second quarter. Taylor Jacobs huge night gives him 57
receptions on the season the 13th season in a row the Gators have had a 50+catch
receiver. Rex Grossman is now 4th on the Florida passing list and Earnest Graham
is tied for 4th on the Gator All time rushing touchdown list.

Georgia is up next
and with the bye week the Gators will practice Tuesday-Thursday. It will allow
Grossman, Todd Johnson and Marques Oquendo Johnson time to get rested and heal
up. The Gators should be at full strength. The Bulldogs play at Kentucky this
week in a game that will not include three of their better players who are
nursing injury. Musa Smith, Fred Gibson and Jon Stinchcomb are banged up.
The Dogs need to lose to Florida and then either this week at Kentucky, Nov. 9
at home to Ole Miss or Nov. 16 at Auburn for the Gators to have a chance to go
to Atlanta. Georgia will be ranked #5 in the new BCS poll released today.